Control valve for fluids



July 26, 1949. G. J. KOEHLER CONTROLVALVE FOR FLUIDS Filed May 4, 1.946

l'mvcntor GSTVE J. KOF/MEF Patented July 26, 1949 rIhe :presentiYinvention relates to-uid-loyv control valves and isfparticularlydirecte'ditoaloatcontrolled vvalve for automatically terminating theowof uidinto areceptacle when said-re- -ceptacle is filled to thedesiredlevel with said fluid.

O'ne -object of the present 'invention is Stoiprovide `a -valveWhich'functions automatically to vcontrol the flwlofeflui'drom -a supplysource to a storage 'receptacle Anotherobjectie the provisionof .anovellfluid -control valve Which operates automatically to regulate vthe`vlume-of fluid -bein lg .introduced under pressure intoa container,ysaid valve bein-g controlled by thelevel ofithe uid irlsaid containerand-operated 'by thepressure of theincoming-huid.

Another object is to.provide a `uid control y valve whichoperatesautomatically when iui'd oyving -underpressure into a container reachesa predetermined level in said'container, said valve being controlled'for operation by thelevelof said lfluid in` said container andoprated.bythepressure of the incoming u-id.

A further object ofthe present invention-is vto provide a novel valvefor automatically Acontroltlingala veiume of'nuid being introducedlunder .pressure `into "a container, said valve being rendered-operativebyfa'. pilot valve Which-is' actuated bythe level .ofthe-fluid in said-cor'taiiier, and, afterbing rendered operativefsaid valve is operatedby the Vpressueof fthe incoming' fluid.

With 'thse 4and --ineidcntalobjects in View, fthe invention includescertain novelv features' of vconstruction 'and -co1fnbi nations 4ofparts, 'the essential elements-fof Whicharesetforth in.appendedV saidvalve.

Fig. 2 is a topplanviewof the' iowerfportien'f 'the alve to better showthe 'shape'of iceita'in parts thereof.

Description The Vpresent invention is Y directed to a 1 novel type ofcontrol valve Which-.may be-fused-in=con nection with a--iluid containerfoncontrollingthe amount of `fluid introducedfinto sa-id container f2 ofuse-of -thisinvention-maybejon astoragetank for storing liquidi fuel,said tar-1l;- arranged to` be -ll'ed Whenneoessary from externalsources, such as tank trucks, tank-oars, orl=the like. -Directi-ngattention to Fig.1-ofthe draw-ing, the reference -numeral -9 representsa crosssectional viewlvofia segmentalportion of-=the -bottom of anysuitabletank oreontainerrcapable ofreceivingv-and storing-a-supplyoffluid. -The 'bottomofthe tank-9;has1aeupeshaped depressed Dportion I,'havi-ng itherein a-.reund v-opening I I `through whichextendsa'substantially roundbody J'portion I2 vof-a -iuidj--controlIvalve. The l'body .-portion I2 hasa lower.flangel fw-hich-.is clamped-to the bottom-face -oi the depression iii by va :plurality of :screws I4, Y which tireadedly engage correspondingA holesv in fa.A ringl-securedby spot- Welding, or othersuitable-meansfto the upward face-of 'thedepression I'Ii. A sealing'washer o1' Ygasket -I 6-is interposed betweenthe l flange t3 andthe-bottom faceoi the` depression I-iitoviorm aliquid seal between Ysaid -iange and saidface. I Ihe flangeI3fsupportsacentrally loeatedneck IL a downwardly --extending portion ofwhich 'ibas-thereon avconnectingshoul'der- I it for suitably couplingahosethereto from-afluidsupply source. Acap I 9,-havingsuitable-connections for engaging the connecting shoulder I 8-onfthe Vneel; l', -may `lee used to close the opening to said neck whenthe supplyv hoseis--notconnected-thereto. An-upvvardly extendingportion-of therneclg- I l Fig. 1) -is-.rou-nded vunits-edge to fform avalve @seat-2Q, which-cooperateswith a valve-seat ring 2 I Aformed of.suitable resilient-material. such Aask)syntheticrubber,-which--is-molded into a T-shaped circular grooveinthe bottom-facevi' thel head of -a -poppet-type v alvernember-ZZ. Theperiphery of theheadof the valve-member@ ts snugly inV the cylindricalinterior portion 4of a valve can '23, fsaid -cy1indrioa1 --interiorforming `a huid `chamber-24. The bottom faceof-aflange portion --2 -5-ot the cap 23 is securedfagainst the upward face jofthe body- I2v bya-plurality otsorews-Z. v A seali-ng Washer-21 4isi-interposed betweenthe bottom j-face V ofthe-ftlange'ZSLan'd theupper'face of the -body I'2to forma-fluid seal-betvveen-saidY faces. The bottom face 4of-thefheadofthe valvemein- 'ber 22 has therein la -T-shaped circular groove inwhich isernol'ded a plastic-ring 2B, Similar to the-ring=2I,1nade -of=-suitab1ee-materlal, such as `synthetic rubber, Which cooperates with theupper face ofthe valve body I2.

When-the valve head 22 is-in-closed position.- as shown here, the.L ring278,V in cooperation `With its from an external source of supply.One-example '55 -eompanion ring-2 I ,f forms auidsealf between theopening in the neck I'I and a circular opening 29, formed by the upperend of the neck I'I and the upper flanged portion of the body I2, whichforms a seating surface for the ring 28. The opening 29 is connected bya series of openings or ports Sil to the interior of the tank 9 and, incooperation with the circular opening 29 and the chamber 24, forms afluid connection between the interior of said tank 9 and the opening inthe neck l'I for the purpose of introducing iluid into said tank.

The head of the valve member 22 has extending upwardly therefrom ahollow steam 32, the external circumference of which snugly engages abore 33 in a dome-shaped portion Sii extending upwardly from the cap 32,said bore 33 being concentric with the interior circumference of saidcap 23. A compressible spring 35 loosely encircles the stem 32 and iscompressed between the upper surface of the chamber 24 and the head ofthe valve member 22 to urge said valve member downwardly to normallymaintain the seating rings 2l and 28 in yielding engagement with theircorresponding seating surfaces.

The hoilow interior of the valve stem 32 has near its lower end aconical seating surface Sl engaged by a check ball which is urged intoyielding engagement with said seat 3l by a coinparatively weakcompressible spring which spring fits loosely in the hollow interior ofthe o stem 32 and is compressed between the top of the dome 34 and thecheck ball 3b. The valve seat 3l' is protected against the entrance offoreign matter by a fine-mesh screen 39 secured in counter-bore which isconcentric with said valve seat 3l. A plurality of slots 49 in the upperend of the stem 32 form a fluid connection between the hollow interiorof said stem and the chamber The valve cap 23 has in its upper portionan opening I, the surface adjacent to the lower edge of which openingforms a valve seat arranged to be engaged by a plastic sealing ring 42mounted in a groove in the lower end of a pilot valve plunger 43, whichslidably engages the opening QI. The upper end of the plunger it isslotted to receive an eye formed on the lower end of an operating rodAll. A cotter key in cooperation with a through hole in the upper end ofthe plunger il?, and the eye on the rod lill, forms a loose operatingconnection between said rod 45, and said plunger 43. The threaded upperend of the rod all passes through a clearance opening in achannel-shaped arm 451. Opposite faces of the arm 45 are engaged by theopposed rounded surfaces of nuts M threaded on the upper end of the roddei and secured in place by corresponding lock nuts i8 also threaded onthe upper end of said rod dit to form an adjustable operating connectionbetween said rod and said arm The arm lill is pivotally connected by ahinge pin 29 to a bracket B secured by suitable bolts 5l to achannel-shaped bar 52, the lower end of which bar is secured by suitablebolts 5c to a bracket 53 in turn secured by bolts 54 to a iinished uppersurface on the cap 23. A float 55, formed of suitable material, such ascork, is secured to the bottom face of the arm 46 by suitable studs 5t.

The pilot valve opening 4I (Fig. l) is connected by a suitable opening5`I to the interior of the tank 9, and an undercut portion of theplunger d3 provides suitable clearance for the unobstructed flow of huidthrough said openings lll and 5l, when the pilot Valve is open. Thepilot valve openings 4I and 51 form a fluid connection between theinterior of the chamber 2i and the interior of the tank 9 to control thepressure within said chamber to effect proper functioning of the Valve,as will be explained presently.

When the tank 9 is properly filled with fluid to the level indicated bythe dot-and-dash line 58 (Fig. l), the float 55 and the arm 46 areraised as shown here and, through the rod lill, retain the plunger 43 inits upward position, as shown here, to maintain the sealing ring 42against the seat adjacent the opening 4I to seal said opening and itscompanion opening 5l from the chamber 24. When the tank 9 is empty, orwhen the level of the uid therein drops substantially beneath the float55, said float and the arm 46 move downwardly or counter-clockwise,which movement, through the rod 44, shifts the plunger 43 downwardly tomove the sealing ring 42 away from the seat to connect the chamber 24 tothe interior of the tank 9, so that pressure cannot build up in Saidchamber. This equalizes the pressure within the chamber 24 and thepressure within the tank 9, and in thiscase the spring firmly maintainsthe sealing rings 2l and 23 in contact with their corresponding sealingsurfaces to in turn seal the interior of the neck I 'I against theleakage of fluid through the ports 39 and the opening 29. Likewise thecheck ball 36, in cooperation with the seat 31, prevents the leakage ofiluid between the chamber-24 and the opening in the neck I'I. A'

When the level of the fluid is low in the tank 9 and the pilot valvel(i3 is open, as explained above, the introduction of fluid underpressure, through the interior-of the neck I'I,` by suitable connectionsto a fluid' supply source, forces the valve member 22 upwardly againstthe action of the spring 35, to lift the sealing rings 2l and 28 fromtheir respective sealing surfaces to connect the interiorof'the'tank 9with the interior of the neck I I, so that iiuidmay flow through saidneck into said tank for the purpose of nlling it. The tank 9 is providedwith a suitable air vent at its top to permit the escape of air whilesaid tank is lling with fluid.

When the incoming iiuid reaches the desired level, as indicated by thedot-and-dash line 58, the float rocks the arm 46 clockwise to lift therod 44, and the plunger 43 to engage the ring with the seat formed bythe lower edge of the opening 4l, to seal said opening from the chamber24. This sealing of the chamber 24 from the interior of the tank 9permits the incoming fluid, which passes the check ball 36 and throughthe hollow interior of the stem 32, to quickly buildup pressure withinthe chamber 24 to the point where such pressure, in combination with thespring 35, shifts the valve member 22 downwardly .to closed position, asshown here, to seal the interior of the neck I'I against theintroduction of more fluid. Y

Subsequent lowering of the level of the uid within the tank 9, and thecoincident opening of the pilot valve 43, which immediately equalizesthepressure within the chamber 24 and within the tank 9, do not unseatthe valve member 22, which is retained by the spring 35 in closedposition, as shown here, until fluid under pressure is again introducedthrough the neck I'l, as explained above.

The cap I9 (Fig. 1), in addition to sealing the interior of the neck I'Iagainst the entrance of foreign matter, likewise forms an additionalhuid seal between the interior of said neck and the interior of the tank9v to further insure against the leakage of :duid from said tank.

From the foregoing description it may be ciearly seen that applicantsnovel flow control valve pern mits the lling of fluid containers to theproper level and further insures that said ccntai will be lled to theproper level, thereby away with the close supervision of such associatedwith such supervision, such as not putting suficient uid in thecontainer or running said container over, either of which errors mayprove dangerous or disastrous in case the tank E? is used for thestoring of highly volatile fuel.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill objects primarily stated, it is to be understood thatit is not intended to conne the invention to the one form or embodimentherein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms.all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a iiuid valve of the class described for use in a fluid containerto control the quantity of fluid introduced under pressure into saidcontainer, the combination of a main casing having a sealed connectionwith the container and comprising a central portion with a main inletpas sage therein, a flat upper surface with a circular openingencircling the central portion and being in the same plane as the upperend of said portion, and ports connecting said circular opening with thecontainer; a valve cap having a sealed connection with the flat uppersurface of the main casing and having a round hollow interior which isin axial alinement with encirclesI the circular opening to form aconnecting chamber between the main inlet passage and said circularopening for the passage of duid there through; a dome formed on the capand having a bore closed at its upper end and concentric with the hollowinterior of said cap; a valve member having an enlarged head operatingirr the round hollow interior of the chamber and disposed opposite themain inlet passage so as to be exposed to the pressure of the incomingfluid, said valve member having a stem operating in the bore; concentricseating rings mounted in the downward face of the valve head andcoacting with corresponding seating surfaces formed on the upper end ofthe central portion and thev flat upper surface; a spring encircling thestem and normally effective to maintain the seating rings in yieldingengagement with the seating surfaces to close the valve; a fluid passageformed in the valve stem and connecting with the main inlet; slots inthe valve stem to connect the fluid passage with the chamber; a reliefpassage in the cap to connect the chamber with the container; and afloat-operated pilot valve in the relief passage and responsive to thelevel of the fluid in the container to open the pilot valve when thelevel of the :duid is low and to close said pilot valve' when the iiuidhas raised to the desired level, whereby the pressure .of the incomingfluid against the valve head opens the valve member against the actionof the spring when the pilot valve is open, and whereby the incomingnuid er1- tering the chamber through the passage in the stem builds uppressure in said chamber when the pilot valve is closed, which pressurecombined with the action of the spring closes the valve member toterminate the flow of incoming iiuid.

2. In a nuid valve of the class described for use in connection with afluid container to admit and control the quantity of fluid introducedunder pressure into said container, the combination of a main bodyportion having a sealed connection with the container and having a flatupper surface with a circular inlet opening therein, said openingconnecting With the container; a cylindrical portion integral with thebody portion and having a main inlet passage therein, said portion beingdisposed centrally with respect to the circular opening and having itsupper edge on a plane with the flat upper surface; a cap having a sealedconnection with the fiat upper surface and forming a connecting chamberbetween the main inlet passage and the circular opening for the flow offluid therethrough; a dome-shaped extension on the cap with acounterbore disposed substantially centrally with relation to the maininlet opening; a valve member operating within the chamber, said memberhaving a stem portion operating Within the ccunterbore; spaced annularsealing rings carried by the valve member and coacting with the upperflat surface and the upper edge of the cylindrical portion to close themagainst the entrance of fluid when said member is in closed position;yieldable means encircling the stem and coacting with the valve memberto yieldingly maintain it in closed position; a fluid passage in thevalve stem connecting with the main inlet; slots in the valve stem toconnect the passage with the chamber; a check valve in the passage andeffective to permit the flow of fluid from the main inlet opening intothe chamber; a relief uld passage in the cap connecting the chamber tothe container; a pilot valve mounted in the relief passage; and a oatsupported by the cap and disposed within the container and operativelyconnected with the pilot valve, said float responsive to the level ofthe fluid in said container to open the pilot valve when the iiuid levelis low and to close said pilot valve when the 45 fluid has raised to thedesired level, whereby the pressure of the incoming fluid forces openthe valve member against the action of the yieldable means, when saidpilot valve is open, and whereby said incoming fluid entering thechamber through 50 the passage in the stem builds up pressure in saidchamber when the pilot valve is closed, which pressure combined with theaction of the yieldable means closes the valve member to terminate thenow of the incoming fluid.

GUSTAVE J. KOEHLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date 595,061 Gulland Dec. 7, 1897654,522 Cowey July 24, 1900 5 1,004,650 Hilton Oct. 3, 1911 2,211,237Langdon Aug. 13, 1940 2,426,900 Parker Sept. 2, 1947 Y FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 347,338 France 1905

